CMS Maps Out Four Years of Big Changes and Forecasts Even More

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. In the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) and Consolidated Billing Proposed Rule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, officially published on April 7, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposes some earth-shaking …

TIP: CMS Proposed Major Changes to SNF QRP Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the fiscal year (FY) 2027 SNF PPS Proposed Rule. Stakeholders have until June 1, 2026, to submit comments on the proposals. The following is a high-level overview of the proposed changes. CMS proposed to: Additional details can be found on …

Q&A: Can Medicare Part A continue for a new pressure ulcer not related to the hospital stay?

Question:  A resident admitted after hospitalization is completing therapy but developed an unstageable pressure ulcer during the SNF stay. Can Medicare Part A continue for skilled nursing, even though the condition was not part of the qualifying hospital stay? Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: The rule …

FY 2027 SNF PPS Proposed Rule: Associated Resources

From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/prospective-payment-systems/skilled-nursing-facility-snf/list-federal-regulations/cms-1843-p DRAFT SNF QRP New and Modified Items with a Proposed Effective Date of October 1, 2031: FY27_Proposed_Rule_SNF_All_Payer_draft_mockups_MDS__508.pdf (PDF) From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/snf-quality-reporting-program/measures-and-technical-information Draft MDS re: proposed removal of MDS item O0350 on Oct. 1, 2027: CMS-10387 from https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/legislation/paperworkreductionactof1995/pra-listing-items/cms-10387

Ancillary Billing Review: Why the DNS Must Lead the Financial-Clinical Conversation

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. As the clinical leader of the largest operational department in a skilled nursing facility, the director of nursing services (DNS), in tandem with the administrator, plays a key role in financial oversight. Ancillary charges are rooted in nursing-driven …

Ancillary Billing Review Checklist

The director of nursing services should review ancillary billing monthly to ensure that all billed services and supplies are clinically appropriate, documented accurately, and supported by skilled nursing care. The DNS can use this Ancillary Billing Review Checklist to help confirm compliance with Medicare Part A and Part B rules, …

FY 2027 SNF PPS Proposed Rule

Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 Filed on: 04/02/2026 at 5:15 pm Scheduled Pub. Date: 04/07/2026  PDF 114 Pages (397 KB)  Permalink Fact sheet Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Proposed …

ICD-10-CM Coding Spotlight Series – Part 3: Sweet Details Matter: Navigating Diabetes ICD-10-CM Coding

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Seasonal celebrations often remind us how quickly small choices can add up. A little handful of candy or a few fruit jelly slices may seem insignificant, but piece by piece they do make an impact. In healthcare documentation …

NHSN Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Flu Vaccination Module for SNF QRP Reporting

The HCP Flu Vaccination Module, which is part of the HCP component in NHSN, is used to input required NHSN data for the SNF QRP. This site provides access to the HCP Vaccination Module: Influenza Vaccination Summary Protocol, which is the primary manual for the module. In addition, it provides …